Indian Polity

Constitution of India

The Preamble

"We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to provide to all its citizens
Justice; social, economic and political
Liberty of thought and expression;
Equality of status and opportunity
and promote among them all Fraternity to promote unity and integrity of the nation
On this twenty sixth day of November 1949, we adopt, enact and give ourselves this constitution"

The Union and its territory

Citizenship

Fundamental Rights

Directive Principles of State Policy

Fundamental Duties

The Union

States

Money Bill

It is defined by article 110, provisions related to tax, financial obligations, consolidated fund of India, contingency fund of India and public account of India.

A bill is declared as a money bill or not by the speaker.

Money bill can be introduced only in the loksabha on the recommendation of the President.

Money bill cannot be referred to a joint select committee.

Rajyasabha may accept the bill.

Rajyasabha may propose recommendations to the bill. These amendments may or may not be accepted by the loksabha.

Rajyasabha may not act on the bill for 14 days.

In all the three cases above, the bill is said to be passed by both houses of the parliament.

The President may accept or withhold the bill. However, he cannot return the bill for reconsideration.

The Parliament

Parliament - President + Loksabha (House of the People/First Chamber/House of Elders)+ Rajyasabha (Council of States/Second Chamber/Popular House)

Hindi names were adopted in 1954.

Parliament - Legislative wing of the government

President - Mr. Pranab Mukerjee

Loksabha - 552 (max)

Rajyasabha - 250 (max) 

Rajyasabha origin - Montague-Chelmsford Report (1918)

 Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajyasabha.

Parliamentary Committees

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

1. It is constituted by the Parliament. (As it is a Paliamentary Committee, it is constituted by the Paliament)
2. Role : to examines the expenditure of the Government of India. (Looks after the Public Accounts i.e. Accounts of the Government of India/Public)
3. Composition :  22 MPs, elected through system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
4. Distribution : 15 MPs are from Loksabha and 7 MPs from Rajyasabha. (Majority is from Loksabha)
5. Chairperson : Selected by the Speaker of the LS from the MPs of LS in the committee.
6. Term : 1 Year.
7. A minister is not eligible to be elected as a member.
8. Since 1967, the Chairman is selected from the opposition. (Became a Convention) 

Attorney General of India

1. Chief legal advisor of the union government. (SC is the legal advisor of the President under aticle 143. Advocate General is the chief legal advisor of the state government.)
2. Primary attorney of the union government in the SC.
3. Appointed by the President.
4. Holds office during the pleasure of the President. (No security of tenure.)
5. Qualified to be appointed as the judge of the SC.
6. Has right to audience in all courts of India.
7. Has right to participate in the proceedings of the Parliament, without voting right.
8. Assisted by Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor Generals.
9. M.C. Setalvad is the first AG of India.
10. Mukul Rohatgi is the 14th and current AG of India.

Important Non-Constitutional Bodies

Planning Commission

National Development Council

Central Information Commission

State Information Commision

National Human Rights Commission